About
Located in the heart of Portland’s vibrant Arts District, Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) is renowned for its immersive, hands-on visual arts education, particularly its highly regarded BFA programs in Illustration, Graphic Design, and Painting. The student experience is defined by a tight-knit, collaborative community of makers who thrive in an urban campus setting that blends seamlessly with Portland's bustling culinary and gallery scenes. What truly sets MECA&D apart is its historic, five-story Porteous Building, which grants sophomore-to-senior BFA students 24/7 access to their own dedicated, individual studio spaces. This creative independence is paired with the college's distinctive "Artists at Work" program, which provides students with concrete entrepreneurial resources and professional opportunities to bridge the gap between studio practice and a viable career.
Wikipedia:Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) is a private art school in Portland, Maine. Founded in 1882, Maine College of Art & Design is the oldest arts educational institution in Maine. Roughly 32% of MECA&D students are from Maine. The College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. In August 2021, the institution formerly named Maine College of Art changed its name to Maine College of Art & Design to reflect the school's emphasis on design.
Location
Cost & aid
Outcomes
Admissions
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Essay prompts
If Maine College of Art & Design asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.
The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.
Student Body
Varsity sports
No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.
Programs & Earnings
Institutional
Wondering if Maine College of Art & Design is the right fit for you?
SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.